Alexander

Just 17 miles south of Little Rock Alexander is a place where a strong community feel meets the quiet of secluded living. “You get a small-town feel, and a lot of the houses have significant acreage with them so you’re not as close to your neighbor,” said Buffy Howard of Truman Ball and Associates Real Estate. “It’s a great place for people who want some peace and quiet but there’s also a great deal of community involvement. The local government puts on festivals and parades throughout the year, and you can find some sort of community event every week.”

Many of the homes in Alexander feature either brick or vinyl siding and are ranch-style houses, while some streets are lined with larger, four-bedroom homes with big backyards. There are a variety of neighborhood types in the Alexander area, from planned gridded areas with well-manicured yards to more densely wooded areas in which homes sit back farther from the streets and have plenty of space for owners looking to enjoy the solitude. You won’t have to fight for on-street parking as the single-family houses come equipped with long driveways and multi-car garages. Prices range from just over $300,000 for multi-story brick homes to just under $200,000 for ranch-style homes in the more rural areas.

The Bryant School District is one of the major draws to the area. “I think the schools have a big part in why people are coming to and staying in Alexander,” says Howard. Students begin at Robert L. Davis Elementary, which has an A- rating on Niche. Children at Davis will not only get a first-class education but also get to interact with therapy dogs that make frequent visits to the school. From there students will move to Bryant Middle School, which also boasts an A- rating on Niche. The HEAT, or Hornet Engineering and Technology, track provides students with hands-on experience in engineering and designing robotics. Finally, Bryant High School holds an A- rating and boasts high ratings in clubs, activities and college prep. Bryant High fields a jazz band, color guard and full marching band that has won multiple competitions across the state in recent years.

With three picnic pavilions, an outdoor pool and a large playground, the 80-acre Mills Park you will never stop exploring Burns Park. With expansive walking and biking trails and tennis and basketball courts there are plenty of opportunities to get in a workout. You can make sure your four-legged friend gets some exercise or take in a local sporting event at Alcoa 40 Park. Alcoa 40 provides an expansive fenced-in dog park with benches for owners and pools for the pups, while also featuring softball and football fields for local youth leagues. Woodland Hills Park provides a pair of basketball hoops and playground equipment surrounded by wide-open greenspace for additional exercise. For a more intense workout, the Center at Bishop Park has you covered with a full weight room, an indoor pool and an aerobics room.Community events include a local fall fest and Oktoberfest. The neighborhood sponsors haunted houses throughout October and holds a Christmas parade every December. Be sure to check out A Christmas Story and other products at the Royal Theatre.

For authentic Mexican cuisine, the locals head to Taqueria Mari Jose just north of Alexander. Boasting some of the best tacos and fresh tortillas in the area and open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Taqueria Mari Jose has become a favorite for any meal. When craving classic southern fare, residents gather at Copper Mule Table & Tap to dine on fried oysters and crawfish cheese dip before an entrée of a bone-in porkchop or crawfish mac & cheese. Shoppers can find anything they need at Edwards Food Giant or Food Wise, while traditional Hispanic goods such as tamale wrappers and specialty spices can be found at Mercado Latino. For all other conveniences, Walmart is just a short drive from town.